Pipe Bowl

Frafra people, Ghana, African

20th century

  • Titles Pipe Bowl (Descriptive)
  • Medium fired clay, slip
  • Dimensions 4 1/4 x 1 3/4 x 3 1/4 in. (10.8 x 4.4 x 8.3 cm)
  • Credit Line Gift of Drs. Noble and Jean Endicott, 1990.186
  • Work Type pipe bowl
  • Classification Tools & Equipment

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Short robe of dark khaki cotton with crew neck and butterfly sleeves, the entire garment is hand embroidered with red, yellow, beige and blue cotton threads in a pattern consisting of wave-pattern bands at the waist and neck as well as along the sleeves and hem, within the bands is a pattern of irregularly-shaped organic elements, or gongs, and crescent shapes interspersed with diamonds and triangles.
Phallic-shaped vessel with opening at the bottom; one side decorated with central vertical rows and registers of raised horozontal lines connecting to center.
Vessel topped with female head has narrow, cylindrical spout and strap handle. Head has three rows of plaits, closed coffee-bean eyes, nose and mouth. Body and shoulder of vessel have three registers of decoration, consisting of alternating triangles and diamonds.
Dark brown, round vessel has narrow neck and flaring rim; shoulder has lizard and bird one one side, abstract pattern with diamonds and triangles on other.